Silver Band History

 

Formed in 1890, the early years the band had a strong connection with the Suffolk Regiment 2nd Volunteer Battalion (TA), and became the band of 'C' company until 1911. Then, and for many years afterwards, it provided the music at large numbers of public events, including open air concerts and promenade dances as well as processions.

 

The years around the 1939-45 war were difficult, and it was not until 1947 that the band really began to recover the momentum of earlier years. In 1949, however, they won a silver cup in the first band contest they had entered. What had been the "Long Melford Brass Band" was renamed as the "Long Melford Silver Prize Band" in honour of that event. Within a very few years the name was shortened to "The Long Melford Silver Band" which it has been ever since.

 

In their time the band have appeared on TV (1969), won the Suffolk Championship several times (first in 1966), and on one early occasion sunk into a lake when the platform on which they were playing subsided. Nothing if not variety!

 

In 2010 the band celebrated 120 years since its formation, and since 2005 have travelled to Ypres in Belgium each year for an intensive practise weekend to learn new music for the coming season.  This also gives the band members and partners an opportunity to socialise and visit some of the WW1 battlefields, cemeteries, local towns, etc.  We now try and play at the Menin Gate remembrance service on Saturday evening - in 2012 we will play instead on Friday 2nd November. 

 

We meet in the Old School Community Centre on Wednesday evenings for our regular practise session, and are always keen to welcome new members, both experienced and beginners. Contact: Martin Gore (Secretary) on 01787 372439 or Mike Murkin (Treasurer) on 01787 312605. 

 

The current Bandmaster (in post since 2002) is Tony Martin .